Monday, June 10, 2013

Agnes Scott

Every now and then a visitor to Ocracoke will ask about a tombstone on Howard Street across from Village Craftsmen. It reads:

Agnes Scott

Wife of Capt. M. A. Garrish

Born May 8, 1898

At Kirkwood, Ga.

Died Aug. 30, 1919

At Galveston, Tex.

Closed are thy sweet eyes

from this world of pain.

But we trust in God

To meet thee again.

The visitor almost always wants to know if this Agnes Scott has any connection with the eponymous Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia.

I had always heard that Ocracoke's Agnes Scott was the daughter or granddaughter of the college's namesake. Seeking more information, I wrote to the college. Their public relations office replied promptly, writing that "unfortunately your Agnes Scott may not be related to our college's namesake. It seems there are hundreds of Agnes Scott's throughout the country."

With the help of islanders (quite a few native Ocracokers are descendants of Agnes Scott & Capt. Myron A. Garrish) and the Internet I finally discovered the full story.

Col. George Washington Scott (1829-1903), Florida & Georgia businessman and son of Agnes Irvine Scott (b. 1799 in Ireland, d. 1877 in the US), founded the college which he named after his mother. His brother, Alfred M. Scott, confederate soldier, was the father of Ralph Booker Scott who was the father of Agnes Scott (great-granddaughter of Agnes Irvine Scott &wife of Capt. Myron A. Garrish of Ocracoke).

Agnes and her sister Allie ("Teeny") somehow found their way to Ocracoke in the early decades of the 20th century, and Agnes married Capt. Myron A. Garrish. Agnes and Capt. Garrish had two children, Irvine Scott Garrish, and Myron A.Garrish, Jr.

Irvine (often spelled Irvin) Garrish was Ocracoke's first County Commissioner. NC Highway 12 (Irvin Garrish Highway) is named for him. Other branches of the family (descendants of Teeny and another sister, Clare) also live on the island, including the owners of the Pony Island Motel, or visit here regularly.

This is wonderful news. just think of all the ASC alumni pilgrimages to your island. You know the girl scouts all go to Savannah to visit the Juliette Low house ( and from what I understand that was a story in the true sense of a story) (Hubby Low was well read the book) Any way I hope the ASC PR dept. UPDATES their records. Atta Boy good job.

Wonder how she and her sister "found their way to Ocracoke" from GA! If she died in Gavleton, TX, I am curious as to why she was returned to Ocracoke for burial? Was she away visiting perhaps? Was her husband still living on the island? Funny how interesting other people's history is to those of us who don't even know the family! Keep it coming!

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Lou Ann spends much of the summer on Ocracoke, and makes frequent visits throughout the year. She enjoys making short videos as she goes "out and about" around the island and elsewhere. She posts her videos on her blog. You can watch them here: